Green Apple Smoothie (with tofu!)

This green apple smoothie tastes like apple pie in a glass — tart Granny Smith apple, warm cinnamon and cardamom, and silken tofu blended until thick and creamy. It's high in protein without a scoop of powder, and there's no banana or dairy milk needed to get that rich, custardy texture.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• Granny Smith apple. Its tartness is what makes this taste like apple pie instead of just a green smoothie — a sweeter apple variety will mute that effect, so stick with Granny Smith if you can.
• Baby spinach. Adds iron and calcium and turns the smoothie a lovely shade of green, without adding any flavor you can actually taste. Baby kale works as a substitute.
• Mori-Nu Soft Silken Tofu. This is what makes the smoothie thick and custard-like without needing milk or a frozen banana. I like the shelf-stable kind specifically, since the aseptic packaging keeps it fresh without refrigeration and without packing it in water — no draining or pressing required. It's non-GMO, Kosher, Halal, and gluten-free. If you've never cooked with silken tofu before, this guide to getting the most out of tofu is a good place to start.
• Vanilla extract, cinnamon, and cardamom. This trio is what gives the smoothie its warm, spiced, apple-pie flavor. A pinch of nutmeg or allspice works too if you want to nudge the spicing further in that direction.

Helpful Tips

Don't peel the apple. The skin blends in completely once it hits the blender, and leaving it on keeps more fiber and nutrients in the finished smoothie.

Scrape down the sides as you go. The tofu makes this a genuinely thick blend, so stop the blender partway through and scrape down the sides to make sure everything purees evenly instead of leaving pockets of unblended tofu at the bottom.

Chill your ingredients ahead of time. Since there's no ice or frozen banana in this recipe, a cold apple and refrigerated tofu will give you a colder, more refreshing smoothie straight out of the blender.

Taste before you pour. Cardamom is potent and cinnamon varies in strength brand to brand — give the blended smoothie a taste and adjust the spices to your liking before serving.

Keep a container of silken tofu in the pantry. It's a great shelf-stable staple to have on hand any time a smoothie craving hits, and it's just as good cubed into a quick miso soup or blended into a dairy-free chocolate mousse.

Variations

• Make it a smoothie bowl. Use less tofu for a thicker blend, pour into a bowl, and top with granola, extra apple slices, and a dusting of cinnamon.
• Add a sweetener. This smoothie isn't sweetened at all, so if you'd like it sweeter, a drizzle of maple syrup or a couple of pitted dates blended in both work well.
• Boost the protein further. A scoop of your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein powder blends in easily alongside the tofu.
• Swap the greens. Baby kale or a milder green like butter lettuce can stand in for spinach if that's what you have.
• Make it extra creamy. A splash of unsweetened plant milk loosens the texture slightly if you prefer a thinner, more drinkable smoothie.

Serving Ideas

This smoothie is thick enough to eat with a spoon, so it works just as well as a light breakfast or an afternoon snack as it does a sippable drink. Pour it into a tall glass with a straw for an on-the-go morning, or into a bowl with toppings when you have a few extra minutes.

It pairs nicely with something warm on the side if you want a fuller breakfast — a slice of Apple & Cinnamon Buckwheat Bircher Muesli or a piece of toast with nut butter rounds it out well.

Storing & Freezing

This smoothie is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day — give it a good shake or stir before drinking, since it will separate slightly as it sits.

It doesn't freeze well as a finished smoothie; the tofu's texture turns grainy once thawed. If you want to prep ahead, portion the apple and spinach into a freezer bag and add the tofu and spices fresh when you're ready to blend.

Follow Mori-Nu on Facebook and Pinterest for more ways to use silken tofu.

More Smoothie Recipes

If you love this green apple smoothie, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas:

• Strawberry and Banana Vegan Smoothie Bowl
• Vegan Pumpkin Smoothie
• Chocolate Cherry Vegan Protein Shake
• 20+ Exciting Tofu and Tempeh Recipes

📖 Recipe